Test drive Land Rover Discovery 2002 - 2004 SUV

The publication

After the recent modernization, which was subjected to Land Rover Discovery, it became obvious: the model reaches for a higher society.

There is nothing strange in this. After all, the first discovery (as Discovery is translated), made by Rover Group in 1989, was to be an alternative to the expensive flagship Range Rover. For ten years of life on the conveyor, the founder of the model branch fully fulfilled the mission assigned to him, significantly increasing the company's off -road achievements: he became, for example, as well as the notorious adventurer Defender, the real hero of Camel Trophy.

The second -generation Disco has retained the ability to knead dirt, but is no longer involved in the raids. He finally established himself in his desire to take a place in high society, which became especially noticeable after the recent modernization.

Outside the most significant reconstruction, the front of Discovery was subjected to. In the bumper, the radiator grille and foglights, the connection with the delights characteristic of the latter Range Rover is clearly visible. The main optics echoes the design of the flagship even more frankly. At the same time, headlights emitting natural white light are much better illuminated by the road. Feed dimensions migrated from the bumper to body racks, and now it is easier to identify the car in the dark. New wheeled wheels also improved the appearance of the SUV.

The salon, thanks to the use of new materials, looks richer than before. The rethought dashboard (the scales and their digitization have changed) looks much more modern. The unlocking button of the gas tank has migrated from the center of the control panel to a more convenient position with the edge. The rude interior, traditional for Land Rover, softened and ennobled.

When preparing an SUV for production, special attention was paid to quality. The key directions of the strike were improving the operation of the engine and transmission, increasing the comfort of seats, decreasing noise and vibrations. 307 constructive changes were made and $ 1 million was used up. Although the use of new materials inside the car, the cost of the car raised the cost of the machine, compared to the 2000 samples, improved significantly. In terms of study and equipment, the interior of the updated Disco makes the most favorable impression.

The only thing that is not pleasing is the limited space for the legs of the rear passengers. Most likely, this is a consequence of increased passenger capacity of the machine: two additional folding seats can be installed in a spacious trunk.

A turbocharged 2.5-liter diesel engine (which at one time has become the world's first 5-cylinder diesel engine with an electronic fuel injection for an all-wheel drive car), which is equipped with Discovery, has not lost its relevance. Moreover, due to an increase in the maximum torque to 340 nm, it has become even more attractive. The incredibly tracted engine allows Discovery to confidently go along the highway with a heavy trailer, and in conditions of complete off -road.

Diesel DISCO cannot be called dynamic (unlike a modification with a 4-liter gasoline V8), but it is difficult to surpass it in terms of reliability and economy. A constant all-wheel drive and a 4-speed automatic (it is possible to install 5-speed mechanics) significantly facilitate riding in adverse weather conditions and crossed areas.

The standard package of the SUV includes ABS, the capabilities of which are supplemented by an electronic distributor of the EBD brake force and the ETS traction force control system that prevents the wheel slipping during acceleration on slippery coating and, if necessary, blocking differentials. By the way, in the near future, Discovery will again begin to equip (by order) with a mechanism for forced blocking of the center differential.

Now the SLS air suspension is offered for the surcharge that allows you to adjust the road clearance, and the control system in corners (ACE). Of course, for DISCO 2003 the model year, a unique development of the Land Rover is also available to maintain a constant (about 8 km/h) speeds on the descent, including a special button on the instrument panel.

The price of the updated Discovery in this configuration is $ 42500 (in the base of $ 37,000) remains very attractive for its class. Only a large radius of the turn can be considered a shortage of the collection of the advantages of the SUV. However, for the aristocrat, which Disco becomes, this is not essential.

Technical characteristics Land Rover Discovery TDS

Body 5-dv., Metal., On the frame
Number of places, people. 5 or 7
Full mass, kg 2880
Dimensions (length/width/height), mm 4705/2190/1980
Base, mm 2540
Road clearance, mm 208
Trunk volume, l 880/1700
Maximum speed, km/h 157
Acceleration time to 100 km/h, from 17.1
Fuel control consumption (mixed cycle), l/100 km 10.3
Fuel tank volume, l 93
Engine:
- Type 5-cyl., Diz., with turbocharged.
- working volume, cm3 2450
- Power, L.S. at MIN-1 137/4200
- torque, NM at min-1 340/1950
- Nutrition system direct injection
Transmission machine., 4-speed, post. four-wheel drive
Wheel suspension of the rush., From stub. POPER. mouth.
Brakes (front/rear) disk., Ventil./Disk
Steering with worm. fur. and gur
Price, $ 42500

Text: Igor Kuznetsov
 

Source: Magazine 5 wheel [10/2002]